On-duty Chowchilla police officer killed in 2-vehicle crash

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A two-vehicle crash claimed the life of an on-duty Chowchilla police officer Friday night, the California Highway Patrol said.

Around 10:30 p.m., officers with the Madera-area CHP office were notified of a collision involving a police patrol vehicle and a Freightliner hauling tomatoes in the intersection of State Route 152 and Road 13.

Investigators said the truck’s driver was attempting to cross SR-152 from the southbound lanes of Road 13 when the officer, traveling eastbound on the 152 in a marked Ford Explorer, approached the intersection from within the number one lane.

At that time, the CHP said, the front of the patrol vehicle struck the right side of the Freightliner’s rear trailer.  The patrol vehicle became lodged under the trailer.  

Both vehicles, along with spilled tomatoes, blocked both lanes of traffic on Road 13, and part of the eastbound SR-152.

Investigators said the Chowchilla police officer died at the scene.

The 36-year-old male driver of the Freightliner, from Firebaugh, was uninjured.

Investigators say neither drugs, nor alcohol, appear to be a factor in this crash.

The CHP’s Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T) responded to the scene to gather evidence for the ongoing investigation.

The officer’s name has not yet been released.

In a social media post, Chowchilla Police Chief Jeff Palmer stated, “Moments of tragedy like this are devastating to our department and especially the family of this amazing officer. It is going to take time for our department to heal from this tragic loss.”

The post goes on to say that the department is extremely grateful for the immediate support it received from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, Chowchilla Fire Department, and the California Highway Patrol.